That's interesting, I certainly didn't think you'd have to go that far back.

The problem of non-voters (if one accepts that it is indeed a problem) would have no easy or straightforward solution. I mean, the complexity of factors involved would be immense and some of those factors would be incredibly hard to change, e.g. voter apathy to a system perceived to be "rigged".

Rev.K:That's interesting, I certainly didn't think you'd have to go that far back.

The problem of non-voters (if one accepts that it is indeed a problem) would have no easy or straightforward solution. I mean, the complexity of factors involved would be immense and some of those factors would be incredibly hard to change, e.g. voter apathy to a system perceived to be "rigged".

That said, I don't think mandatory voting is the answer.

Democracy's conundrum.

The two biggest factors contributing to turnout in the most recent presidential elections were swing state status and Election Day voter registration. Of the nine jurisdictions where Election Day registration was an option in 2012, seven placed in the top 20 in overall turnout (including Minnesota which came in at 76.1%).

BunkyBrewman:In other words, the entire country has become MEH on politics.

Not the entire country.

The zealot demographic turns out in great numbers. It's why the GOP caters to haters -- you only need a handful of the working class to vote for the rich if 90% of that handful turns out to vote every time.

Rev.K:That's interesting, I certainly didn't think you'd have to go that far back.

The problem of non-voters (if one accepts that it is indeed a problem) would have no easy or straightforward solution. I mean, the complexity of factors involved would be immense and some of those factors would be incredibly hard to change, e.g. voter apathy to a system perceived to be "rigged".

That said, I don't think mandatory voting is the answer.

Democracy's conundrum.

Eh, couldn't we give people numbered "I voted" tickets that could be redeemed for a tax rebate?

I picture some bizarre outcome here where if this happened the first candidate to endorse non-mandatory elections would then win in a landslide, followed by every election the same promise being made, except never held, because who'd say no to that many votes? It'd be a better wedge issue than abortion.

I picture some bizarre outcome here where if this happened the first candidate to endorse non-mandatory elections would then win in a landslide, followed by every election the same promise being made, except never held, because who'd say no to that many votes? It'd be a better wedge issue than abortion.

Countries that currently have mandatory voting don't have that problem, so I doubt it would be a major issue.

I had a professor in either government or statistics who pointed out that every time they increased the eligible voting population the turnout went lower. Hell, it might have been psychology 101, because all voting contains a diffusion of responsibility.

TR was a rich kid who sought the often fictional glamour of the wild west and heroic combat. This iconic photo was taken in a NYC photo studio, the clothing had been custom made for this, and the knife hilt was custom made by Tiffany & Co in sterling silver.

So, how do we get more turnout? Million dollar lotteries for voting? Hell, maybe we need fewer voters.

Oh, and make every ballot write-in. That'll get some results in out educational system.

Makes me wonder how NOTA would fare in some of these elections. Nevada is the only state to list "None of These Candidates" as a ballot option, but it's just a sham. NOTA can't actually win an election in NV- even if an absolute majority vote NOTA, the actual candidate with the most votes still wins. In other words, voting NOTA is the same as casting a blank ballot or just not voting. Instead, if NOTA wins there should be a snap election within a month, at which none of the candidates from the first election are eligible to be on the ballot. Or even better yet- have preferential voting which allows for an instant run-off.